Attie's BIRTHday

Today's is Attie's bithday. Can't believe that is has been 8 years!!!! Thoughts today are going back to what I was doing at this certain time of the day 8 years ago. At this time in the morning we were checked into Mass General, I was throwing up a lot (pleasant thought, eh? - why is it that no one warned me that with some women that is how the body reacts to labor?) Bob was being very patient and getting me ice chips and holding my hand. I had a GREAT nurse (don't remember he name however, but I can still picture her face)
The night before delivery, I went bowling with a bunch of friends from Newton Pres. then out for a midnight snack at Friendly's, then home to catch a bit of Saturday Night Live. We didn't get much sleep that night, because my water broke at 4:30am. I remember calling Julie Wierda after Atticus was born, letting her know that I had given birth and she said in disbelief "but you were just bowling yesterday." I was also exactly 2 weeks before my due date. Now whenever someone is complaining about being pregnant and close to the end (or late), I recommend a good game of ten pin. =)
Fred and Diane Lovine were his first visitors and we had flowers and good wishes from so many caring family and friends.
I had no idea how wonderful life would be with Atticus and I am SOO happy he is here. I can't imagine life without him in it.
Happy Birthday Attie!!!!!!

I just heard the most wonderful poem....

Rosa sat so Martin could walk.

Martin walked so Obama could run.

Obama ran and now our children can fly.

Halloween

Grampy visited us for Halloween.

Weekend Homework - Go Sox Go!!!!!

Attie's homework this weekend from Miss Dolan was to cheer for the Red Sox. They didn't have to watch the game, they just had to send good vibes their way. So far it seems to be working - bottom of the sixth - the Red Sox up 4 to 2.

Yoga

Attie begins after-school yoga today. Maybe it will make him more relaxed when it comes time for homework. = )

Kids Do the Darnest Things - Update

Nope, he was the only silly one. Jack was a normal kid who only wore one pair of underwear to school today, making Attie the only one wearing 2 pairs of underwear. =)

Kids Do the Darnest Things

Atticus and his friend Jack Ryan decided to wear 2 pair of underwear to school today. =)
I think it was the highlight of his day.
I wonder if the other kid went through with it or not? Guess I'll find out at pick up.

WaterFire

On Saturday night Bob and I went to Providence, Rhode Island for date night and to see WaterFire. It is an art installation where they light bonfires on the water and have various performers throughout the city. It would have been a nice night anyway, but it happened to be the same day at the breast cancer event Flames of Hope.

The state house looked wonderful, it was lit in pink with inspiring words on it like: hope, strength, courage, etc. projected on it. Also they had the Flames of Hope Torch Ceremony. This inspirational ceremony and walk from the steps of the Rhode Island State House to the basin of WaterFire was compelling as it was motivating. It truly symbolized hope, courage and determination in the fight against breast cancer.

Of course I was probably more emotional than usual since I had just undergone my first mammogram earlier in the week, but it was an absolutely beautiful evening.

Providence was quite impressive. I can see us going back again soon.

$3.17

I can't believe that I was so excited to pump gas yesterday, but there I was almost doing a "happy dance" at the pump because I was paying $3.17/gallon for gas.

& we don't even have it that bad. We consciously drive fuel efficient cars (& have for some time now). I wonder if I would have broke out in full dance if I were driving a big SUV? =)

I know that it has been very difficult for some families and businesses with the higher fuel prices, however I am SOOOO happy that everyone is realizing that we need to be more energy efficient for the good of all. I feel that techonogy will only come at a high rate if everyone is asking for it. Now that everyone is asking for more fuel efficient cars, instead of big SUVs and gas-sucking trucks, hopefully the new technology will follow soon.

So I guess that I was a bit conflicted yesterday filling my gas tank. But hopefully prices will stay reasonable and people won't forget what it feels like to pay higher prices and keep pushing for new techology.

The Best Protection Is Early Detection

Guess I'm showing my age. We'll actually today I was showing a bit more than that. =)

I received my first mammogram. As I heard on a talk show recently...if men had to undergo all of that squishing, they would find a different way.

homemade ????

Attie was having a piece of apple pie, that Diane and I made on Saturday and came up with the following question.....
"Let's say a person has their house in a factory where they make food. They actually live there. If they ate food from that factory, would it be "homemade?"

Wow, the things that kids think of! =)

Fall Festival 10-5-08

Today was Attie's school's Fall Festival. It is a nice afternoon getting all of the families of the school together for a nice, simple community event. It was cloudy and overcast but thankfully the rain held off for the event.
I was responsible for a games table and the kids had fun with the bean bag toss (thanks to my friend Margaret Hall for letting me borrow hers) and other table games. I tried to have the kids play "broom" (thanks to Ellen DeGeneres for that idea)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf7WTZCytYM
However I think most of the kids cheated and didn't look at the top of the stick, because it wasn't nearly as funny as it was on her show. However, Attie's teacher, Ms. Dolan did the broom game and didn't cheat and was quite fun to watch. =)

Apple Picking 10-4-08

Today we went with the Lovine Family for our annual apple picking outing at Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro, MA. We had a wonderful time as always, with the kids playing on the hay maze, feeding the goats, cutting beautiful fall flowers, going on a hayride and eating and picking some delicious apples.
Then back to Wilmington to bake our usual 8 pies. The boys are getting older, so we didn't have their "help" this year in the kitchen, and the pie baking process went smoothly.

Get Well Soon Johnny

Just found out that our former neighbor Johnny Lau is in Children's Hospital in Oakland. He is a high school freshman this year, and was playing football this year for the first time. When I found out that he was on 4th string, I wasn't too worry about him getting injured. I was wrong.

At the moment, they think that he may have a bruised kidney from an injury that happened during practice. I'm hoping that is all it is.

One cool thing, is that via the Children's Hospital website, we can send an email to Johnny that they will print out and deliver to his hotel room. A very nice touch.

It is hard to be away for your "child" while he is in the hospital. Even though Johnny isn't my child, I think of him like one of my own.

Our hopes are for a speedy recovery.

Fall is Here

Well it is finally feeling a bit like fall - and I'm liking it. Fall is my favorite season after all. The totally rainy weekend is over, the temps are falling and soon it will be time to pull out a sweater.

The tree next to our house has changed color already and lost quite a few leaves and the asters are in full bloom and the bees are loving it!

Update on Plimoth Plantation - I really didn't hear alot about this field trip, except that he liked the indian village part the best.

9/29/08

Getting Atticus ready for his class field trip tomorrow to Plimoth Plantation. We have not been before, so it should be very educational for him. I was trying to go along on the trip too, but the teachers wisely turned down all of us eager moms. =)

When we were home visiting last year my Mom bought him a Pilgrim book. So tonight after dinner Bob, Attie and I acted out a play in the book called "A Native American Welcome." Atticus got a feather from his collection and stuck it in his hair and carried his Pirates of the Carribean blow-up sword (if you haven't guessed it already he was one of the Wampanoag indians =). In our version of the play he was Indian 1, Indian 2, Squanto, Samoset and Massosoit.

He told me that the classes are already divided up and that his got the boring part. They are studying basic needs, so his group needs to learn about education and government. Can't wait to hear the stories from tomorrow and what he thought of everything (including their education and government structure).

Ever since I moved out here I have always thought about going to Plimoth Plantation for Thanksgiving dinner. However, it is usually booked by time I go to think about it and it is usually a bit pricey. But I just checked and seating reservations don't open until Thursday (October 2), so maybe this will be the year.

Happy B'Day

Saturday was my birthday, and it was raining so we didn't go apple picking. Instead during the day I went to a conference, then that night we went to my favorite restaurant "Not Your Average Joes" with our friends the Lovine Family and then back to their place for fun and games (Blokus, Sequence, and Kings on the Corner (which Doris showed us on our trip to Michigan this August).

Bob and Atticus raided my scrapbooking supplies and made me the best homemade card. I especially like how Atticus wrote "From the Atticus card maker shop" on the back of the card (see attached pictures) Also a couple days before my b'day the Lau Family (our neighbors (aka my adopted kids) that moved to California) sent me a cute big teddy bear card that included a hug from them all. Also I received many other bday wishes from friends and family.

Then on Sunday morning, Sharon Gallagher, one of my friends that I met through Quincy Mothers' Cooperative and whose family now goes to East Congregrational Church too, brought me the cutest yummiest cupcake.

So nice to have such a wonderful birthday! Thanks everyone!!!!

9/26/08 (late)

Just got back from Quincy Mothers' Coooperative steering committee planning meeting. It was a nice night with a great group of ladies. They were so sweet by starting the meeting recognizing the work that I have done for the past few years in a leadership role for the co-op. I am stepping back from the co-op now that I am Chair of the PTO at Attie's school.
Now I have to stay up a bit and watch my DVR of the debate.

9/26/08

Just thought I would start this blog to share with friends and family things that are going on with the Russell family.
Recent news is that Atticus started 2nd grade at Meeting House Montessori School in Braintree. He has the same teacher as last year (they have the same teacher for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade) and is happy to be with his friends again. He is less happy about the homework however. =)
Attie also became a cub scout with his first Den meeting last Friday (9/19/08) and his first Pack meeting on Wednesday night (9/24/08) and his first "sell & show" of scout popcorn outside of Shaw's market last night (9/25/08). He was quite the salesguy and seemed to have a really good time.
Also on the homefront, Attie lost his eighth tooth (bottom left) on Sunday night. The tooth fairy brought him a Sacagawea golden dollar.
Tonight I'm off to the Quincy Mothers' Cooperative annual kick-off meeting, so the boys will be doing dinner together.
Tomorrow we were suppose to go on our annual apple picking outing with the Lovine Family (I think this might be our 8th annual outing), but the weather is not cooperating, so we need to reschedule for next weekend. A little bummed about that, but not much I can do about that.